Hakeem Jeffries Downplays GOP Midterm Convention as Democrats Gear Up for House Fight

Members of Congress are leaving Capitol Hill after a brief first week back in session following the August recess, and eyes are now shifting to next week’s main event—the first midterm convention.

The Republican National Committee (RNC) is set to hold the first-ever midterm convention next week in Dallas, Texas, on Sept. 9 and 10, signaling its members to rally around the party ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, which will feature several close races, including in Texas.

But Republicans are not the only ones tuning in. House Speaker and Representative Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said yesterday that he expects Democrats to show out in their communities as well.

“I expect that there’s going to be robust engagement by Democrats, in part led by the Texas Democratic Party, along with participation from House Democrats, Senate Democrats, as well as Democratic governors from different parts of the country,” Rep. Jeffries said.

Rep. Jeffries said Democrats see this convention as a distraction from the issues on most voters’ minds.

“The fact that these Republicans are planning a celebration in the middle of an economic crisis where everyday Americans are drowning because of this high cost of living is extraordinary,” he said, pointing to the current affordability crisis and ongoing six-month war in Iran.

In the next few months, some expect to see major Republican megadonors like President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk pour money into GOP candidates.

Rep. Jeffries said he and other House Democrats are not concerned.

“We’re going to have the resources necessary in order to reelect our frontline members and flip more than enough seats to take back control of the House of Representatives,” he said.

The House Majority PAC, Democrats’ main super PAC focused on electing House Democrats, has raised $151.5 million this election cycle through July, according to the latest Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings.

Rep. Jeffries said he thinks these numbers reflect how Americans will vote this November.

“Our super PAC has raised a record amount of resources because the American people know that the best path for us to change direction in this country is for Democrats to take back control of the House of Representatives,” Rep. Jeffries said.